Patents by Inventor Frederick E. Zink

Frederick E. Zink has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11940014
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with a ball-ramp mechanism that includes a first ball-ramp ring, a second ball-ramp ring and a plurality of balls. Each of the first and second ball-ramp rings have a plurality of ball supports that define ball tracks that receive the balls. Each of the ball supports has a first radial width at a first location and a second radial width at a second location. The first and second widths are different to minimize the amount of material that forms the first and second ball-ramp rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Robert S. Kleinhardt
  • Publication number: 20230412046
    Abstract: An electrically-operated electric drive module for use in a vehicle framework that is configured for a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically-operated electric drive module permits the vehicle to be converted to an electrically propelled vehicle in a manner that is cost-effective and which is relatively low in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew A. UMERLEY, Frederick E. ZINK, Jonathan P. PRICHARD, James P. DOWNS, Gregory A. MARSH, Matthew T. BLAKEMAN, Steven GRIDER, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Publication number: 20230369934
    Abstract: An electric drive unit that includes an electric motor having a rotor with a rotor shaft and a heat exchanger that is received in the rotor shaft. The heat exchanger has a plurality of heat exchanger plates, each of which having a hub, a rim member, and disc spring portion that interconnects the hub and the rib member. Each disk spring portion defines a plurality of coolant apertures. The heat exchanger plates are press-fit to the rotor shaft such that each disc spring portion is deflected from a pre-installation state, and each rim member is engaged to an interior surface of the rotor shaft while being spaced apart from adjacent rim members along a rotational axis of the rotor. A first coolant passage is disposed through the hubs of the plates. The coolant apertures in the heat exchanger plates cooperate to form a plurality of second coolant passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, Christopher D. PUMP, Frederick E. ZINK, Bangalore Lingaraj YASHWANTH
  • Patent number: 11750060
    Abstract: An electric drive unit that includes an electric motor having a rotor with a rotor shaft and a heat exchanger that is received in the rotor shaft. The heat exchanger has a plurality of heat exchanger plates, each of which having a hub, a rim member, and disc spring portion that interconnects the hub and the rib member. Each disk spring portion defines a plurality of coolant apertures. The heat exchanger plates are press-fit to the rotor shaft such that each disc spring portion is deflected from a pre-installation state, and each rim member is engaged to an interior surface of the rotor shaft while being spaced apart from adjacent rim members along a rotational axis of the rotor. A first coolant passage is disposed through the hubs of the plates. The coolant apertures in the heat exchanger plates cooperate to form a plurality of second coolant passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Ronning, Paul J. Valente, Christopher D. Pump, Frederick E. Zink, Bangalore Lingaraj Yashwanth
  • Patent number: 11750063
    Abstract: An electrically-operated electric drive module for use in a vehicle framework that is configured for a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically-operated electric drive module permits the vehicle to be converted to an electrically propelled vehicle in a manner that is cost-effective and which is relatively low in weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew A. Umerley, Frederick E. Zink, Jonathan P. Prichard, James P. Downs, Gregory A. Marsh, Matthew T. Blakeman, Steven Grider, Paul J. Valente
  • Publication number: 20230261541
    Abstract: An electric drive unit that includes an electric motor having a rotor with a rotor shaft and a heat exchanger that is received in the rotor shaft. The heat exchanger has a plurality of heat exchanger plates, each of which having a hub, a rim member, and disc spring portion that interconnects the hub and the rib member. Each disk spring portion defines a plurality of coolant apertures. The heat exchanger plates are press-fit to the rotor shaft such that each disc spring portion is deflected from a pre-installation state, and each rim member is engaged to an interior surface of the rotor shaft while being spaced apart from adjacent rim members along a rotational axis of the rotor. A first coolant passage is disposed through the hubs of the plates. The coolant apertures in the heat exchanger plates cooperate to form a plurality of second coolant passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicants: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC., AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. RONNING, Paul J. VALENTE, Christopher D. PUMP, Frederick E. ZINK, Bangalore Lingaraj YASHWANTH
  • Publication number: 20230128748
    Abstract: An electrically-operated electric drive module for use in a vehicle framework that is configured for a powertrain that includes an internal combustion engine. The electrically-operated electric drive module permits the vehicle to be converted to an electrically propelled vehicle in a manner that is cost-effective and which is relatively low in weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew A. UMERLEY, Frederick E. ZINK, Jonathan P. PRICHARD, James P. DOWNS, Gregory A. MARSH, Matthew T. BLAKEMAN, Steven GRIDER, Paul J. VALENTE
  • Patent number: 11371600
    Abstract: A front axle assembly with an axle housing that has first and second housing halves that each include a main housing portion, a tubular portion and a steering yoke. The main housing portion defines a cavity that houses at least a portion of a speed differentiation mechanism. The tubular portions are fixedly coupled to an associated one of the main housing portions and extend between the main housing portion and an associated one of the steering yokes. Each steering yoke is fixedly coupled to an associated tubular portion. An annular joint structure is formed where the first and second first housing halves are coupled to one another. The annular joint structure is formed about the rotary axis such that one of the first and second housing halves is inserted into the other one of the first and second housing halves along an insertion axis that is coincident with the rotary axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Marsh, Jonathan P. Prichard, Frederick E. Zink, James P. Downs, Joseph M. Endreszl
  • Publication number: 20220178404
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with a ball-ramp mechanism that includes a first ball-ramp ring, a second ball-ramp ring and a plurality of balls. Each of the first and second ball-ramp rings have a plurality of ball supports that define ball tracks that receive the balls. Each of the ball supports has a first radial width at a first location and a second radial width at a second location. The first and second widths are different to minimize the amount of material that forms the first and second ball-ramp rings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Frederick E. ZINK, Robert S. KLEINHARDT
  • Patent number: 11221065
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a differential assembly that includes a limited slip clutch, a locking clutch and an actuator for operating the limited slip clutch and the locking clutch. The actuator includes a pair of ball-ramp mechanisms that share a rotatable ball-ramp ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Publication number: 20210348675
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component having a differential assembly that includes a limited slip clutch, a locking clutch and an actuator for operating the limited slip clutch and the locking clutch. The actuator includes a pair of ball-ramp mechanisms that share a rotatable ball-ramp ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Frederick E. ZINK
  • Patent number: 11118664
    Abstract: A differential assembly that includes a differential input member, a differential gear set, a first clutch, and a second clutch. The differential input member is rotatable about a differential axis and defines an internal cavity. The differential gear set is received in the differential cavity and includes first and second side gears. The first clutch has a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates. The first clutch plates are rotatably coupled to the differential input member. The second clutch plates are interleaved with the first clutch plates and are rotatably coupled to the first side gear. The second clutch is selectively operable to non-rotatably couple one of the first and second side gears to the differential input member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Joshua A. Kirby, Joseph S. Balenda, II, Michael Schulte
  • Publication number: 20210003205
    Abstract: A front axle assembly with an axle housing that has first and second housing halves that each include a main housing portion, a tubular portion and a steering yoke. The main housing portion defines a cavity that houses at least a portion of a speed differentiation mechanism. The tubular portions are fixedly coupled to an associated one of the main housing portions and extend between the main housing portion and an associated one of the steering yokes. Each steering yoke is fixedly coupled to an associated tubular portion. An annular joint structure is formed where the first and second first housing halves are coupled to one another. The annular joint structure is formed about the rotary axis such that one of the first and second housing halves is inserted into the other one of the first and second housing halves along an insertion axis that is coincident with the rotary axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory A. MARSH, Jonathan P. PRICHARD, Frederick E. ZINK, James P. DOWNS, Joseph M. ENDRESZL
  • Publication number: 20200141476
    Abstract: A differential assembly that includes a differential input member, a differential gear set, a first clutch, and a second clutch. The differential input member is rotatable about a differential axis and defines an internal cavity. The differential gear set is received in the differential cavity and includes first and second side gears. The first clutch has a plurality of first clutch plates and a plurality of second clutch plates. The first clutch plates are rotatably coupled to the differential input member. The second clutch plates are interleaved with the first clutch plates and are rotatably coupled to the first side gear. The second clutch is selectively operable to non-rotatably couple one of the first and second side gears to the differential input member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Frederick E. ZINK, Joshua A. KIRBY, Joseph S. BALENDA, II, Michael SCHULTE
  • Patent number: 10442293
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with an actuator and a rotary coupling. The actuator has an actuator housing, a motor, a transmission, a first cam, a second cam, and a first biasing spring. The motor is coupled to the actuator housing and includes a motor output member. The transmission has a transmission input member, which is driven by the motor output member, and a transmission output member. The first cam is housed in the actuator housing and is coupled to the transmission output member for rotation therewith. The first cam has a first set of cam features that are disposed about a first annular surface. The second cam has a cam body, which is received in the first cam, and a second set of cam features that are disposed about a second annular surface. The second set of cam features abut the first set of cam features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: AMERICAN AXLE & MANUFACTURING, INC.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Brian A. Calomeni, Peyman Moradshahi
  • Publication number: 20180015824
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline component with an actuator and a rotary coupling. The actuator has an actuator housing, a motor, a transmission, a first cam, a second cam, and a first biasing spring. The motor is coupled to the actuator housing and includes a motor output member. The transmission has a transmission input member, which is driven by the motor output member, and a transmission output member. The first cam is housed in the actuator housing and is coupled to the transmission output member for rotation therewith. The first cam has a first set of cam features that are disposed about a first annular surface. The second cam has a cam body, which is received in the first cam, and a second set of cam features that are disposed about a second annular surface. The second set of cam features abut the first set of cam features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Inventors: Frederick E. ZINK, Brian A. CALOMENI, Peyman MORADSHAHI
  • Patent number: 9731597
    Abstract: A disconnectable vehicle driveline having front and rear axle assemblies and a power take-off unit (PTU). The PTU includes a coupling, which is configured to selectively transmitting rotary power between an input shaft and a first gear, and a brake element. The coupling includes a first coupling portion, which is coupled to the input shaft for rotation therewith, and a second coupling portion that is coupled to the first gear for common rotation. The second coupling portion can be translated into and out of engagement with the first coupling portion. The brake element is configured to engage the second coupling portion when the second coupling portion is not engaged to the first coupling portion to thereby resist rotation of the first gear and elements of the vehicle driveline that are drivingly coupled to the first gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Publication number: 20170166050
    Abstract: A disconnectable vehicle driveline having front and rear axle assemblies and a power take-off unit (PTU). The PTU includes a coupling, which is configured to selectively transmitting rotary power between an input shaft and a first gear, and a brake element. The coupling includes a first coupling portion, which is coupled to the input shaft for rotation therewith, and a second coupling portion that is coupled to the first gear for common rotation. The second coupling portion can be translated into and out of engagement with the first coupling portion. The brake element is configured to engage the second coupling portion when the second coupling portion is not engaged to the first coupling portion to thereby resist rotation of the first gear and elements of the vehicle driveline that are drivingly coupled to the first gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Frederick E. Zink
  • Patent number: 9512909
    Abstract: An actuator assembly with first and second sleeves, a barrel, a follower, a groove, a spring, and an output member that is coupled to the second sleeve. The first sleeve has a first externally toothed body, a first flange, which extends radially outwardly from the first body, and a first bore. The barrel is received in the first bore and is rotatable therein. The follower is fixed to one of the barrel and the first sleeve and is received in the groove, which is formed in the other one of the barrel and the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a second body with an internally toothed second bore. The second sleeve is disposed about the first sleeve such that internal and external teeth are meshed to axially slidably but non-rotatably couple the first and second sleeves. The spring is disposed between the first flange and the second sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Brian A. Calomeni, Peyman Moradshahi, Robert D. Hopp
  • Publication number: 20160312866
    Abstract: An actuator assembly with first and second sleeves, a barrel, a follower, a groove, a spring, and an output member that is coupled to the second sleeve. The first sleeve has a first externally toothed body, a first flange, which extends radially outwardly from the first body, and a first bore. The barrel is received in the first bore and is rotatable therein. The follower is fixed to one of the barrel and the first sleeve and is received in the groove, which is formed in the other one of the barrel and the first sleeve. The second sleeve has a second body with an internally toothed second bore. The second sleeve is disposed about the first sleeve such that internal and external teeth are meshed to axially slidably but non-rotatably couple the first and second sleeves. The spring is disposed between the first flange and the second sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Frederick E. Zink, Brian A. Calomeni, Peyman Moradshahi, Robert D. Hopp